2010/11/12 New York
Do you remember?
Careerist
The movie “Fair Game” is about Valerie Plame Wilson and Joseph Wilson; A.O. Scott called their story ”a sidebar in the history of the George W. Bush years and an emblem of what American politics looked like back then. Do you remember?”
Yes, it does seem a while ago.
I sympathize wholeheartedly with the movie – a producer who was present before the screening tonight asked the audience to tell people about the movie – yet I’m not sure if it’s a good movie.
If anything “Fair Game” made me want to read the books written by Valerie Plame Wilson and Joseph Wilson.
And the movie makes poignantly clear that a careerist believes anybody is fair game.
It’s a thin line between being ambitious and being a careerist.
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7 comments 
I am just an opportunist.
I discovered recently this blog. It took me a while before I decided to react. Reacting on what a well known person says or thinks gave me always the feeling that I'm an attention seeker. After reading, not so long ago, the stories of your experiences in and German hotel (Bayern) and on a Swiss/ Italian restauration wagon I decided to do so. One piece of text did change my mind: Ik zie het leven als trainingskamp, ik weet nog niet waarvoor we trainen, maar ik heb een vermoeden. We trainen om te excelleren.
I think, because I am never convinced about anything, that depending on who crosses your path in this trainingcamp ( which I interpretate as life itself) can lead to an extreme careerism or ambition. I consider an ambitious person somebedoy with a goal, a careerist a person that wants to shine, impress on whatever. To describe a careerists I use a frase of my hometown: Een duivelszak is nooit gevuld.
My English is decent but not perfect.
Tom
I think, because I am never convinced about anything, that depending on who crosses your path in this trainingcamp ( which I interpretate as life itself) can lead to an extreme careerism or ambition. I consider an ambitious person somebedoy with a goal, a careerist a person that wants to shine, impress on whatever. To describe a careerists I use a frase of my hometown: Een duivelszak is nooit gevuld.
My English is decent but not perfect.
Tom
no line at all
@ Tom Lievens
To excel: the contribution of judaïsm to western culture. Arnon is just one example. Or is it all due to his mother?A tale to excel
Little John proudly presents his Christmas school report card to his parents and says “ … and I am first in the class!”The mother looked worried and replied, “But what about Philip?”
“Philip is second, mother …”
“Do you not realize that little Philip will be punished by his parents? For being second?”
“Eh …” little John stumbled.
“I see, you do not care about your friend, do you ? You do not care about anybody, do you ? You care only about yourself, do you not ? You selfish boy !”
And so the 7 year old boy John got punished during his whole Christmas vacation. For being selfish.
Finally he learned to excel in losing.
Mieke,
I', afraid I'm not understanding your reaction. The double point confuses me.
@Bernard,
I was that kid. I learned that being the first is a decision taken by others, it does not depend on me. What does not depend on me makes me insecure. So another thing I learned was to be invisible. I do not trust many times others opinions.
Tom
I', afraid I'm not understanding your reaction. The double point confuses me.
@Bernard,
I was that kid. I learned that being the first is a decision taken by others, it does not depend on me. What does not depend on me makes me insecure. So another thing I learned was to be invisible. I do not trust many times others opinions.
Tom
@Tom
"As a member of the chosen ones, every Jew craves to excel."But don't worry, it was meant as a teaser for Arnon.
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